Rebirth of America, this is my era

Chapter 236 Everyone here is garbage.

"Hello, Ariba, welcome to the Donahue Show. I'm Phil Donahue, who has always loved you." The white man in a suit and tie stared at the camera with a smile and talked freely, "Perhaps in the Christmas of 1978 that has passed, everyone was enjoying the happiness brought by Ethan Jones. The new version of Pac-Man, that is, Ms. Pac-Man, is much more fun than the previous Pac-Man. Whether it is the setting of ghosts intruding or the props added separately, it adds a lot of passion and fun to the already wonderful game, making us unable to stop."

"but--"

"With the arrival of 1979, another name suddenly appeared. It took him only three days to capture our attention and make us realize that calculation can be so simple!"

"For countless office workers, he may be a ray of light in the darkness, dispelling the coldness of the night, illuminating the whole world, and allowing us to enjoy the convenience brought by technology!"

"Speaking of this, perhaps many people already know who he is. That's right! Our guest today is the founder of Microsoft, who launched the electronic spreadsheet, William Henry Gates III!"

Amidst a burst of high-pitched and passionate calls, countless applause rang out. The older boy sitting next to Phil Donahue smiled and waved to the camera, then nodded to the host of the Donahue Show and said, "Hi, Phil, it's great to be a guest on your show."

"Oh - No -" Phil Dona shook his head exaggeratedly and said, "I should be the one to say 'honored' because you accepted my invitation and came to my show. This should be a very difficult decision for you. I know that you may be very busy in the past few weeks, the next few years or even decades."

"Oh, thank you." Bill Gates nodded. "Thank you for your recognition of me. Of course, I also hope that I can serve the people of the United States for several years or even decades as you said."

Perhaps it was because Bill Gates had rarely spoken in public before, or perhaps he was a little nervous because it was his first time on the show, so he seemed a little restrained at the moment.

But this is not a big problem for Phil Donahue.

As a special correspondent for the CBS Evening News in the 1950s, who has been working in the media industry for more than 20 years and has interviewed well-known American figures such as James Hoffa, Le Zong, and Johnny Carson, as well as hippie leader Jerry Rubin, for him, it is an instinct to guide the topic and make the guests comfortable.

The two chatted for a while, asked Gates about the suit he was wearing today, and expressed his feelings about Harvard University, where he had studied. After Gates relaxed, Phil Donahue smiled and asked, "So, can I know why you developed Excel? You know, in the past two weeks, your product has caused a sensation throughout America."

…………

"What?"

"Ethan?"

“Is this your inspiration?”

When Bill Gates demonstrated the functions of Excel in front of everyone, including inputting preset formulas, creating accounting tables, confirming the formulas, and automatically obtaining new content by modifying data, turning traditional cardboard documents into a paperless office reality, everyone at the party was amazed.

Especially when Bill Gates said that the inspiration for this product came from Ethan's story, several people at the scene turned their heads to look at Ethan who was leaning on the sofa. Although he was a little lazy at the moment and had a satisfied smile on his face, no one thought he was easy to get along with.

It wasn't because Ethan was hiding something from them again!
But Ethan shocked them again!

Because no matter how interesting the games Ethan launched before were, they were just entertainment.

Even though "Snake" implanted the philosophy of life, "Pac-Man" turned the paper on artificial intelligence into reality, "Star Wars" set off a public opinion frenzy, and "Starfield" made an in-depth exploration of computer performance, these are ultimately just people's pastime and a source of happiness.

It is a way to relax your mind, but it will definitely not be the only thing in your life.

At least most people don't.

but now--

Excel's special code is revolution!

Because human beings can never get rid of the production habits given by society!
As long as society is still running, production will continue! When traditional paper reports, paper forms, and paper finances become electronic offices that rely on computers...

The entire human lifestyle will change!

In the past, no matter how much Ethan boasted that Apple computers could make games, no matter how hard Jobs and Wozniak tried to increase the performance and functions of Apple computers, in the eyes of the public, Apple computers were just a larger and more expensive toy for many computer enthusiasts and the public. But one day, the toy was transformed into a functional one that could bring convenience to human life...

"What the hell!"

Jobs jumped up from the sofa, rushed to Ethan, grabbed his collar, and roared loudly: "Ethan! Do you know what you did?"

"You turned Apple into a productivity tool!"

"Oh God!"

"Do you remember what I told you a few years ago?"

"Stephen and I had no idea how to market computers to the public!"

“Because we think people may not need it!”

"But what now?"

"Two years? Or three years? You fucking solved this problem!"

"Oh - why didn't you tell me about this earlier! This is incredible!"

…………

“The inspiration for the Excel product actually came from the communication between me and my friends.”

On TV, Bill Gates, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, smiled.

"You mean, this isn't just your work?" Phil Donahue grasped the point. "This is a collaboration between you and your friend?"

"Of course." Bill Gates nodded and said, "I am not the one who came up with the idea. I am just a practitioner who made an excellent idea come true."

He spread his hands slightly and said, "It was one day last year when a friend of mine told me that the current financial statements are very troublesome to use, because once the data is modified, it is necessary to recalculate and re-create a new table. Although many contents are not advanced calculations, the huge amount of data makes the calculation very difficult. Moreover, once an error occurs, such as an extra cent on the financial statement, it will drive the financial staff crazy."

"Because no one can tell at a glance whether the error on the finished product report is a filling error or a calculation error, it requires everyone to do it again from beginning to end to check it out."

"So, he really hoped that one day in the future, he would have a tool that could help him calculate data, just like the calculators we got ten years ago. If the computer is not smart enough, then he hopes to get a computer, and then... we are all stunned."

"Stunned?" Phil Donahue had not expected this situation.

Bill Gates laughed and waved his hands, saying, "Yes! I was stunned! Because we had computers! Personal computers, Apple II! Then we started trying to make smart spreadsheets on them, and then Excel was born!"

"Oh - so that's how it is -" Phil Donahue suddenly realized.

The next second, he said regretfully: "When you said 'stunned', I thought there was a huge twist, but I didn't expect this to be the final ending."

"It turns out that I am the clown." He smiled self-deprecatingly at the camera.

Bill Gates also quickly tried to save the situation, saying, "No, No, No, I just hope my story can be more exciting, but unfortunately, our real experience is so dull."

…………

"MFxxk! Steve! Are you trying to kill me?"

Ethan slapped Jobs' arm and kicked him aside. Although Jobs' figure was not as wild as Wozniak's, any man would not want to stay down there!
As he got up from the sofa, Ethan also noticed the ferocious gazes around him.

Spielberg and his people seemed to have seen a beautiful woman and wanted to eat her alive, but they were also more like dying people who saw hope, with desire permeating every pore of their bodies.

"Oh - please don't be like this." Ethan sat up straight and admitted with a smile, "Yes, I did provide the inspiration for this thing. But isn't this a very normal thing? All human inventions are for a better life. Since asking questions is human instinct, then my behavior is easy to understand, right? I just hope to get more convenience."

"But the effect you showed is not that simple." Bill Mensch said with emotion: "I believe everyone has dreamed of changing the world one day, but for 99% of people in this world, dreaming is just dreaming."

“That’s right,” George Lucas agreed. “Although the remaining 1% of people can turn their dreams into reality, these people can only do one thing well in their entire lives.”

"But you are different."

"Ethan, you seem to be doing a lot of pieces."

Lucas gave Ethan a probing look.

The people around nodded in agreement.

Just as they were expecting Ethan to speak, he waved his hand and said, "Oh, you guys are so nice to talk to. Since you are so good at talking, why don't you talk more? I love listening."

"What?" Ethan's reaction stunned everyone present.

Ethan smiled and said, "Yes! You are right! I have indeed done many things that changed the world! Because I like the feeling of shocking the world! I also like the scene of being sought after by others!"

"Or -"

"At one point, I even felt like I was a god!"

"..."The sudden change in style made everyone at the scene a little confused.

The bewildered figure made Ethan clap his hands and burst into laughter, "Yo yo yo——"

"When I am humble you think I am abnormal, and when I am proud you also think I am wrong."

"Since being a human being is so difficult, I won't do it!"

"From today on, all you have to do is worship me!"

The villain-like declaration made everyone's mouth twitch.

The first person who couldn't stand it anymore was Spielberg. He pulled out the pillow behind him and threw it at Ethan.

"roll--"

Facing the attacking pillow, Ethan remained calm and slid away.

At the same time, he let out an unbridled laugh, "Hahahaha——"

"Steven—are you envious?"

"Envy me for having so many inspirations?"

“…” The arrogant words made Spielberg’s eyelids twitch.

When he found that Ethan was shaking his butt with his back to him...

"George—beat him!"

He shouted and rushed forward.

"Up, up, up!"

Jobs, who got up from the ground, was not to be outdone and called on Wozniak to join the battle.

Bill Gates and Paul Allen were dumbfounded by the situation, but soon Bill Gates took off his sneakers and urged his friend: "Let's go too--"

"MFxxk! I've been wanting to beat him up for a long time!"

"This guy is so good at pretending!"

The chaotic scene made Evelin’s mouth twitch.

The scene of screams of pain and laughter, wailing and ridicule blended perfectly together made her sigh.

"A bunch of... psychopaths..." she murmured.

…………

"Oh, no—" Phil Donahue retorted: "William, you are wrong. You are very wonderful now, or you can say that you have given the already colorful world a different color!"

"Excel is a groundbreaking product! It gives computers the ability to produce! This will improve the productivity of people around the world and allow people to enjoy the convenience brought by technology!"

"You are great pioneers! Amazing fighters!"

"Oh, thank you." Bill Gates pushed his glasses down on his nose and accepted the compliment.

After some small talk, Phil Donahue threw out another question.

"Well, William, I want to know, is Excel only available on the iPhone II?"

He held his chin with one hand, looked at Bill Gates, and said, "As far as I know, when you released Excel, you made a clear statement that the software could only run on the Apple II."

"Why is this?"

When asked this question, Phil Donahue turned around and looked at the camera in front of him. It seemed that he was reporting live, but it was more like he was communicating with the audience on the other side of the TV. "I think this question is very important to each of us."

"Because there are so many personal computers on the market today."

"Although the Apple II is the most popular product in the past two years, many people have also chosen computers from other companies, such as Tandy and Komodo..."

"If there is a tool that can bring convenience to people, I hope that this tool can be universal on all computers, rather than a specific product on a single computer."

"Do you understand me, Mr. Gates?"

Phil Donahue turned his head and looked at Bill Gates again.

Bill Gates in front of the camera nodded and smiled like a gentleman.

"Of course, Mr. Donahue, I certainly understand."

…………

"what?"

"Ethan? The reason you didn't tell me in advance is because Excel isn't exclusive to Apple?"

After the fight, Xiao Qiao was shocked when he learned the truth.

He was still lying on the ground gasping for breath, but he jumped up instantly, his ears erect like antennas, his eyes wide open like copper bells, and shot a death stare at Ethan, "Why???"

He said loudly: "Is this because we at Apple are not doing something right?"

The fat little Wozniacki also climbed up, panting.

While leaning aside to rest, his eyes were also focused on Ethan.

"No." Ethan, who was lying on the ground, shook his head and said, "You did a good job."

"That's why I asked William to make Excel for you and asked him not to provide similar products for other computers within six months after Excel was launched on the market."

"But this is not exclusive!" Jobs said loudly: "When other companies also use the same product, our product will have no advantage!"

"Cheap computers will quickly take over the entire market!"

"We Apple will be doomed!"

…………

"In fact, when we created Excel, we wanted to serve people all over the world." Bill Gates on TV smiled and spoke slowly, "But reality gave us a hard slap in the face, because in the current market, only Apple computers meet the requirements for running Excel. The companies you mentioned, such as Tandy and Komodor, cannot do that."

"Oh, why is that?" Phil Donahue asked curiously. "Because their computers don't have enough memory." Bill Gates said, "Although what I'm going to say next may have a negative impact on other computer companies in the market, affecting their product sales and their company's stock price, I still want to say it."

"Whether it's Tandy or Komodor, they are always emphasizing cheapness in order to gain more market share. They attract customers with cheapness, but at the same time, they are also extremely compressing the performance that computers should have in order to make profits."

"I don't want to emphasize a lot of professional terms here, so I will use a metaphor to describe what those computer companies did... If you remember, it should be clear that before, Ethan Jones, the founder of Destiny, always said that their electronic games were made with Apple computers. Why? Because the products of other companies are not suitable."

"If Apple's product is a normal-sized canvas that a painter likes, and a full palette of paint, then other companies' products are book-sized drawing paper and just a few pencils for sketching."

"If you just draw some stick figures, then there is no difference between Apple and other companies' computers, but if you want to draw a beautiful oil painting, people who have an A4 paper and a sketch pen can't do it."

“That’s why we can’t provide Excel to other computers.”

"Because the 16KB RAM of the Apple II is the minimum standard for Excel to run."

"Computers made by other companies...cannot handle..."

At this point, Bill Gates shrugged his shoulders and looked regretful.

…………

"Whether Apple will be finished or not depends not on Excel, but on you."

Although he was yelled at by Jobs, Ethan was not angry. After getting up from the ground, he came to the front of the Apple II and looked at the dark interface with some emotion.

"If you think a piece of software can change Apple's fate, then you'd better not start a business. I can buy all your shares now, and then you can do what you love."

“Ethan!” Jobs stamped his feet and shouted, “You—”

He wanted to curse, but...

Can't make a sound.

Wozniacki, who was leaning on the side, opened his mouth slightly. He also wanted to speak, but...

He didn't know what to say.

The people around had tense expressions on their faces; they didn't know how things had developed to this point.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"

Ethan clapped his hands on the iPhone II and said with a smile, "Why is Apple successful? Is it because I spared no effort to promote it? Is it because Lawrence Rockefeller is optimistic about it and helped it open up the education market? Yes, these are all reasons, but they are not the key at all!"

“The real key is innovation!”

Ethan raised his voice and said loudly: "Do you remember the first time Stephen and I met? You were arguing with others because those people said you broke their Altair!"

"I came forward to guarantee that you could repair it!"

“At that time, after the repairs were completed, Stephen expressed his disdain for the design of Altair!”

"He said Altair was garbage! The one he designed was a computer!"

"Then you showed me how to build an Apple with all its chips on one motherboard!"

"This is the reason for your success!"

Ethan knocked on the table and stepped forward.

"Later, when you were researching new products, you added gaming features, game joysticks, color displays, and external hard disks!"

"Although these things are not inventions, the act of being ahead of your peers is the key to your success! Because without these, they are not Apple, but just ordinary computers!"

Ethan came up to Jobs and poked his chest hard with his fingers.

"Steve, I've always been grateful to you! Because it was you who brought me to Atari and made my Snake sold to every corner of America in the shortest possible time!"

"Steve, thank you so much! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Stephen, wouldn't have been exposed to Apple, and wouldn't have been exposed to 6502!"

"Steve, I will always remember your help to me when I was in trouble! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Steven and wouldn't have received the help of Professor Ralph Bell!"

"But there is one thing I really want to say--"

"Steve! If you can't even see your company's greatest asset! The innovation that comes from the collision of your own inspiration and Steve's technology! Then what kind of company are you running!"

"Why don't you just start an orchard and grow apples yourself!"

…………

"Oh..." Phil Donahue understood. He looked at Bill Gates and said, "You mean that computers from other companies are inferior products?"

“No——” Bill Gates shook his head and denied: “They are not inferior products, but Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak made Apple too good.”

"So, what you're saying is that if in the future other companies can come up with products as good as Apple's, you will also let Excel log into those machines?" asked Phil Donahue.

"Of course! My goal is to serve the people of the United States and strive for the progress of all mankind."

Bill Gates smiled and nodded.

“Then I think Apple is going to be in trouble.”

Phil Donahue said: "Your promise will affect their sales, because after watching our show, some people will definitely choose to wait. After all, the current price of Apple is too expensive."

"An Apple II and an external disk drive cost eighteen hundred dollars."

“This is not something that ordinary people can afford.”

"Really? But I don't think so." Bill Gates disagreed, with a different light flashing in his eyes behind his glasses, "Because I think Apple will keep running as it goes further and further on the road of innovation."

"Do you think they will continue to lead in personal computers?"

Phil Donahue was a little surprised.

"Yes." Bill Gates nodded.

"Why?" asked Phil Donahue.

"Well - can I say - this is God's will?" Bill Gates made a face.

“Hahahaha——” That look caused everyone at the scene to burst into laughter.

…………

"Oh—Ethan—I—"

Ethan's bright eyes made Jobs' mouth open slightly.

After staring at each other for a long time, he suddenly smiled, spread his hands and said, "Sorry."

“I just don’t want to lose.”

The words of weakness made everyone present feel relieved.

Ethan hammered his chest and turned to look at the still glowing computer screen.

"Steve, although Excel will not belong to Apple, in the future, only Apple will be able to use the latest Excel." Ethan pursed his lips and said, "This is the agreement between William and me."

“That’s also the premise for me to give him the inspiration.”

"What?" This fact surprised both Jobs and Wozniak.

And when they turn their attention to Bill Gates and Paul Allen...

Those who had taken off their shoes and joined the battle also nodded, "Yes."

"We will promote Excel to the outside world like crazy."

"But at the same time, we will ensure Apple's leadership in Excel."

"As long as Ethan is here."

"Oh! Yes!"

The affirmative answer made Jobs jump up.

"Oh! Sxxt! Ethan! Why didn't you tell me about this earlier!"

He punched Ethan in the arm.

Before Ethan could answer, Jobs rushed to Bill Gates and opened his arms to him and Paul Allen, "Oh - good brother - give me a hug -"

“What you guys made is really amazing!”

"Of course, it is even more correct to let Apple take the lead!"

The neurotic behavior is a pleasant surprise after a sudden turn of events, and it is also the joy of seeing a ray of hope after a dark period.

As for the reason?

Everyone at the scene could actually understand it.

Even when Ethan Jones endorsed Apple crazily and Lawrence Rockefeller helped them with educational procurement, Apple still did not monopolize the entire computer market.

Is this because Apple is not good?
of course not.

Because they are too expensive.

There are only two ways to monopolize a market. Either your products are irreplaceable, or your products are so competitive that other companies cannot make any profit. Apple cannot do the former, nor can it do the latter.

In this case, if you want to help Apple maintain its leading position, you can only use other means, such as fully opening Excel to the market as it is doing now, making it impossible for other companies to make office software, and then favoring Apple.

When people find out that only Apple users can experience the latest features of Excel, they will naturally choose Apple.

This kind of subtle concept implantation makes Apple invincible in the business world.

This is actually why Ethan chose Microsoft.

Because once Apple is allowed to make its own office suite, it will only make other companies that want to enter the computer industry even crazier. Only by giving the office suite to Microsoft can they control other manufacturers.

Looking at the somewhat crazy figure, Ethan also breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, he actually always understood that Jobs would definitely not be happy after handing over Excel to Microsoft, so how to appease him became a headache for him.

Before, Ethan had thought about appealing to his emotions and reason, telling him that no one in this world can have the cake all to himself, but later, after thinking about it, Ethan gave up.

Because he wants to have the cake all to himself!

It’s like he already knew that the video game industry cannot be monopolized but still suppressed his competitors!
Just like he recruited Microsoft to make their own office suite!
Damn it! Why should we share a market with others when we can monopolize it?
When this fact came to light, he no longer thought about comforting others.

Go with the flow and adapt to circumstances.

And today...

Although the beginning was a bit unexpected and the process was a bit tortuous, the result was good.

Gazing at the figures hugging each other, and looking at the eagerness of jumping up and wanting to understand all the functions, Ethan was very happy. As long as the few people in front of him could get along in a friendly manner for more than ten years, then...

"Hahahaha—" Ethan laughed out loud.

“What are you thinking about?” When the atmosphere on the scene returned to normal, Evelin also came over.

"You were angry just now, and now you're grinning foolishly?"

"Are you out of your mind?"

The girl reached out and tried to touch Ethan's forehead.

Ethan did not dodge, but continued to stare, saying, "I'm thinking, if I continue to develop at this pace, if I'm given ten years, even if Lawrence Rockefeller sees me, he will take off his hat and say hello to me."

"..." The girl was almost choked to death by Ethan's words.

"You are really sick!" She rolled her eyes and walked away.

Ethan, on the other hand, thought he was normal.

Because when Microsoft and Apple were brothers...

Ah--

It’s really not that he looks down on people!
But everyone here is garbage!
When Ethan had this mentality and asked Microsoft to release Excel in early , Bill Gates, who had been gearing up for a blockbuster, directly called his mother.

And after his mother helped him find advertising resources for Quanmi...

Microsoft became an overnight sensation!
Almost in an instant, Bill Gates became the brightest star in America!
After Excel was released, it sold 40,000 copies in just one week.

This number may seem unremarkable, but considering the selling price of $99.99, the revenue of nearly four million is enough to make many people drop their jaws.

After Bill Gates accepted an interview on the Dona Show and told Ethan the fact that only the Apple II could run Excel...

A year and a half has passed since its initial release and the second generation of Apple has achieved its own sales peak!
Even if the price is more than one thousand, it can't stop the enthusiasm of the people and businesses for it!
The disk launched by Steve Wozniak last year was even sold out.

Because without that thing, Excel simply can't run.

If last December, the entire sky of America was covered with endless stars, then now, in January of 1979, the entire America is a sea of ​​red!

This situation almost made Komodor, which had just completed the acquisition, spit out blood.

Even though they urgently announced that they would make a computer with the same performance as the Apple II, their stock price was cut by nine points after the opening.

Tandy, which adopted the strategy of low prices to boost sales, was even worse off, with a 15-point drop that reflected the market's pessimism.

And Rockwell announced last year that it would enter the personal computer industry...

Chairman Willard Rockwell Jr. was staring at the blue sky outside the window at the moment. He came to his senses after hearing a knock on the door, and shouted, "Come in."

Then, the sound of footsteps came from far away. After it disappeared, a cold female voice spread throughout the huge office, "Boss, the information you requested has been sorted out..."

(End of this chapter)